A Newhall street is set to be named after South Derbyshire and British boxing hero Jack Bodell, the famed fighter once dubbed the Swadlincote Swineherd.

"Bodell Close" will be part of a 14-home development located just off the junction of Oversetts Road and Main Street, in Newhall, which will be opened on Tuesday, July 24.

Members of Jack's family and civic dignitaries are expected to attend the unveiling at noon.

Boasting an incredible boxing career record of 58 wins in 71 fights, with 31 by knockout, Jack Bodell was a British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight champion after first training in his youth at a gym in the Royal Oak pub, in Newhall.

Boxer Jack Bodell

He was also a miner at Church Gresley colliery from the age of 15, before becoming National Coal Board amateur light heavyweight champion three times.

He retired from boxing in 1972 and later ran a fish and chip shop in Coventry. Bodell died in November, 2016 at the age of 76 following a battle with dementia.

His daughter, Faye Radbourne said: "Dad would have been incredibly honoured to hear that a street is being named after him. He always kept Swadlincote close to his heart and in his corner.

"We are so touched at the effort that South Derbyshire District Council, Premier Property Ltd and the Magic Attic have put in to keeping his memory alive.

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"We are very proud of his achievements and hope that others can feel inspired by his boxing journey."

The housing developers are Premier Property Ltd and the naming of the road was organised with South Derbyshire District Council and the Magic Attic history archive, in West Street, Swadlincote.

James Hardwick, director at the Bretby based developers Premier Property, said: "It is really a privilege to be involved in this development for a local lad turned champion.

"He was an idol to so many and it is an honour to be involved in such a momentous initative. We hope that this development will strengthen the memories that people have of Jack Bodell and his amazing sporting career."

Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, added: "Swadlincote is rich in culture, heritage and inspirational individuals.

"This street naming is a fitting tribute to a local boxing hero who made his mark nationally and internationally. Jack Bodell is one of South Derbyshire's and Britain's boxing heroes and is also honoured in our Swadlincote Heritage Trail.

"We're extremely proud of his achievements and are delighted that his name and story will live on for generations to come."

Who is Jack Bodell?

Former British and European heavyweight champion boxer Jack Bodell, who came from Newhall, died at the age of 76 in November, 2016. He had a glittering career, after taking up boxing at the age of nine.

He would regularly train just yards away from St Edward's School, in Swadlincote, at the St Peter and Paul Centre, as well as at a gym at Newhall's Royal Oak pub.

At the age of 15 he started work down the South Derbyshire coal mines and went on to become National Coal Board amateur light heavyweight champion three times, before turning professional. He was also for a time a poultry and pig farmer, which led to the Swadlincote Swineherd nickname.

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He started out as a light heavyweight, winning the 1961 ABA championships and a bronze medal at the European amateur championships the same year. Southpaw Bodell first won the vacant British title against Carl Gizzi in 1969.

He lost it in his second defeat to Henry Cooper in his next fight, before regaining it two years later on the night he also won the Commonwealth and European titles from Joe Bugner.

Among others, Bodell also defeated Brian London. He suffered a knockout loss to Jerry Quarry in 1971, and fought for the last time when he was stopped by Danny McAlinden at Villa Park in Birmingham in 1972.

He even sparred with all-time boxing great Muhammad Ali, who went along to open Bodell's Coventry chip shop for free in 1973.